this world baseball classic The tournament is coming up and Team USA is looking to avenge their loss to Japan in the finals.

The Japanese team defeated the United States in a thrilling 3-2 manner to win the 2023 championship Shohei Ohtani Strikeout Mike Trout in a hard-fought game to end the game. At the time of the game, Ohtani and Trout were teammates on the Los Angeles Angels.

The tournament begins on Wednesday, March 4, but Team USA doesn’t play until Friday night. New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is the captain of Team USA.

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Team USA’s Aaron Judge (99) watches a practice at Papago Park Sports Center on March 2, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

There are five teams in each group, and each team will play four games over six days during the group competition. The United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil are in Group B. They will play pool at Big King Park in Houston, Texas.

Eight of the 20 teams will advance to the quarter-finals in a single-elimination elimination format. The semi-finals begin the day after the quarter-finals, with the final taking place on Tuesday, March 17.

Before Team USA officially begins play, they will conduct san francisco giants during an exhibition game on Tuesday. Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will start in this game. Team USA will play an exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.

(L) Team USA’s Byron Buxton (25), Kyle Schwarber (12), Roman Anthony (3) and Aaron Judge (99) walk off the court during a practice at the Papago Park Sports Complex on March 2, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Here’s a look at Team USA’s schedule during pool play, along with the starting lineup.

Friday, March 6 – USA vs. Brazil – 8pm ET – FOX/FOX Deportes – Giants ace Logan Webb will start

Saturday 7 March – UK and US – 8pm ET – FOX – detroit tigers Ace Tarik Skubal will start

Sunday, March 8th – Mexico and the United States – 8pm ET – FOX/FOXD – Scones will begin

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Team USA pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws during a training session at Papago Park Sports Center on March 2, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Tuesday, March 10 – Italy and the United States – 9pm ET – FS1/FOXD – new york mets Rookie Nolan McLean expected to start

If Team USA advances in pool play, the quarterfinals will begin on Friday, March 13.

All 47 games will be syndicated on the FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports app and Tubi world baseball classic games.

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